IL-13, Interleukin-13, murine (mouse): IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells, and by mast cells and NK cells.
Targeted deletion of IL-13 in mice resulted in impaired Th2 cell development and indicated an important role for IL-13 in the expulsion of gastrointestinal parasites.
IL-13 exerts anti-inflammatory effects on monocytes and macrophages, and it inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8.
IL-13 has also been shown to enhance B cell proliferation and to induce isotype switching resulting in increased production of IgE.
Blocking of IL-13 activity inhibits the pathophysiology of asthma. Human and murine IL-13 is cross-species reactive., UnitProt ID: P20109